Rakhi is a Hindu festival, says who?

Bangalore, Aug 21: Rakhi, this year has attained a colour that no other festival did previously-that of brotherhood, harmony, pure love and friendship.

Barring religion, women reached out to their brothers to tie that sacred thread, which symbolizes protection and security. However, it was merely not a festival for many people. It was a move that crossed the barriers of religion and language.

While the Gujarat Chief Minister was tied Rakhis by his Muslim sisters, hoping for a protected future and a peaceful country, little girls adorned the wrists of the BSF jawans for their selfless service to the country.

Call it the trend of the day, but history too has instances where Hindu queens have been sending Rakhis to Muslim emperors, seeking protection.

In Aurangabad

Women members of Shiv Sena tying 'rakhis' to army soldiers on Raksha Bandhan festival in Aurangabad on Tuesday.

In Mumbai

Hindu women tying 'rakhis' to Muslim men during Raksha Bandhan celebrations in Thane, Mumbai on Tuesday.

In Varanasi

A widow tying 'Rakhi' to Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International, on the occasion of Raksha bandhan at Pashupati Nath Temple in Varanasi on Tuesday.

Knot of confidence

Muslim women tying 'Rakhis' on the wrist of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Rakshabandhan at Gandhinagar on Tuesday.

In Karad

School girls tying 'Rakhis' on the wrists of the school boys as they celebrate Raksha Bandhan in Karad on Tuesday.

Thread of trust

A little girl tying 'Rakhi' on the wrist of a security person during the Raksha Bandhan festival in Mumbai on Tuesday.

In Suchetgarh

School girls tie 'Rakhi' on the wrists of Indian Border Security Force soldiers on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan at Suchetgarh India-Pakistan international border about 25 Km from Jammu on Tuesday.

In Patna

A Muslim woman tying Rakhi to a man in the slum area on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan festival, organized by BJP Mahila morcha in Patna on Tuesday.

In New Delhi

A school girl ties a 'Rakhi' on the wrist of President Pranab Mukherjee during celebration of Raksha Bandhan festival at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Selecting the best

Women selecting Rakhi ahead of Raksha Bandhan festival at a market in Kolkata on Sunday.

The colour that bonds

A girl selecting Rakhi ahead of Raksha Bandhan festival at a market in Mumbai on Sunday.

Historical instances

The story of Padmavati and Humayun is not unknown to any of us. She sent a rakhi to the Mughal emperor Humayun to save her husband who was fighting him.

In fact, Humayun's name arises quite a number of times. Rani Karnavati from Bundi, India also sought his help while fighting Bahadur Shah Zafar.

In the great epic Mahabharata too Draupadi and Subhadra tied rakhis to Sri Krishna, seeking protection.

The extent to which it is being celebrated across India, it would be unfair to call the festival just a Hindu one. It is one festival that has permeated across time as a festival with 'no religion'.